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Everything seemed to happen all at once as the battle commenced. Talix felt a crash and clattering as the scorpion attempting to flank on Krebbic's left still made its leap but the Knight had successfully blocked its path. It jumped back immediately not leaving it open for a shield bash.
The larger scorpion paused a moment to analyze what approach to make on the Knight. It skittered fast and to the side striking with both a pincer and then its stinger to try to break past his stance. Talix not only blocks both strikes but gets in his prepared shield bash. The concussive force is enough to push the larger scorpion back but does no real damage. The smaller scorpion leaps yet again at Krebbic, but Talix is able to successfully block its path once more!

As for Krebbic, the brute's punch landed squarely on the smaller scorpion which struck from the front. It flew back in the direction of Eliizer and not far to the right of Mei. The scorpion recovered, having already rotated in midair and landed fluidly, scraping across the ground on its reinforced legs. It did not seem damaged at all but at least it was knocked away. It rushed back at Krebbic, not analyzing other combatants but intent on using its speed to get back into close quarters. It jumps lower this time aiming to clamp onto one of Krebbic's legs. But Krebbic is just able to step out of its trajectory. It lands near and flings its stinger to at least attempt a poisoned strike but this leaves it open for a counter attack.

Mei's attempt at freezing the smaller scorpion to Krebbic's right so quickly worked even better than she might have expected. The water enveloped it and the ice spiked due to the intense change. The smaller scorpion fell to the ground encased in the ice and a huge fissure ruptured its armor as it was pierced. It was not completely destroyed but it was heavily damaged and would not be able to even move until the ice melted some.

The lead scorpion was ready for her scythes as she lashed out at its tail and it struck out with a pincer versus each, glancing the blow of one, and the other scythe slammed past to damage the tail. The tail sparked from the clang of metal on metal and there was a slight gash but it was not enough to disable the tail.
__________________________________________________ __________

Quintin saw how effective the ice was and decided to change tactic as quickly as possible. He touched his sword and the slowly building electric energy dissipated. He stood in front of Mei as the three larger scorpions approached them, bearing down, soon to strike.
"Hakka külma talve künnisel." He said low to his blade and a frost crackled over it, puffs of cold exuded from the steel.

He held the sword back and shouted.
"Meie südamed ja meeled on nüüd üks!" And threw the blade.
Brandished with the magic of his spirit, the blade struck at a distance of its own accord and swung a swath of cold rain from itself. It blasted shimmering water which struck in huge droplets. The scorpions had just been moments away from attacking but instead braced for impact, expecting magic but not knowing what is in store.

For once, hunkering down was the opposite of what they had needed to do. The shots pelted their armor and joints with freezing rain which solidified immediately. All they could do was try to move once the ice had anchored. One broke free in moments and did not seem damaged but it was slowed. The other two were penetrated with cold and their armor was compromised. The forerunner was stuck fast to the ground and its gears churned angrily. The cold was still seeping through as the presence of Koit so near was still causing the ice to keep forming. The blade struck down and slashed through both armor and inner workings, destroying it! The other was held fast to the ground and its joints had been compromised to some degree.

The blade flew back to its owner, but Quintin's body had paled greatly. His legs trembled and he stumbled back, one hand going to his head as his world swam in vertigo.
"Huuu... ahh-hah..." He gasped and forced a smile.
Koit flew to his other hand which he held up weakly and though he grasped the blade it fell out of his hand as soon as the enchantment ended. The blade shuddered angrily as it hit the stone floor at their feet.
"Shouldn't've been so quick ta impress ya." He said and took a few steps back behind Mei.
"I ain' retreatin' now. Jus... jus gotta... catch my breath."
He said stubbornly but he didn't pick up his sword and he still looked pale. A cold sweat shone over him.
The one large scorpion that freed itself approached as fast as it could and went to strike with its tail at Quintin in his weakened state. It would have to get through Mei's guard though and whatever counter she might employ.
__________________________________________________ __________________________

Eliizer scrambled fast and reached Mei and Quintin soon after witnessing both of their attacks. He seemed at a loss for words and with the guard folding he knew he didn't have time to talk. He turned back and detached all three blades from his sword. They blasted outward and struck at the closest large scorpion which had followed him.

The scorpion tried to lash out against the oncoming blades using pincers much as the other had done against Mei's scythes. It catches a smaller blade and tries to pull against Eliizer. The other two blades struck into its compromised armor, piercing and anchoring. Eliizer twisted the haft and handle of his blade and the metal cords tightened. He grabbed one side of the handle and spun it as quickly as possible causing them to twist around one another. While the scorpion had been pulling against he didn't even fight its jerk as he was lurched forward toward it. He landed upright and on his feet and dropped down low to make a run. He darted past, away from the second scorpion so he wouldn't be flanked. The scorpion was caught off-guard by his unusual actions and he whipped the chords under its body as he ran past it. They tripped up the legs before it had a chance to anchor to the ground. It was flipped onto its back and he forcefully reengaged his blade's retraction with another whipping motion. He freed them all successfully and went to strike at its exposed underside before it could flip over. He pierced through, finding his mark to its inner workings. The flailing automaton sputtered and went lifeless.

Eliizer jumped back as the second scorpion tried to counterattack him once he had moved in to destroy its ally but it was a moment too slow and its stinger only hit air. The gecko grinned wide, eyes flashing at his one opponent left. At this rate, with how they were all handling themselves... and with such challenging foes... they might actually have a chance in these ruins. The gecko's confidence soared. The best part is, by taking out one it kept the remaining one focused on him and away from flanking Mei or Quin.

Once the scorpions had been pushed a back after the knight's successful guarding, he began to make his way forward with his shield raised, ready for more incoming attacks.
"Krebbic, just a bit more towards that statue, I'll continue to cover your blindsides as best as I can!"
Talix took a quick glance back to make sure Mei, Eliizer, and Quintin were alright. A bit of worry began to set in when he saw that Quintin had doubled over in fatigue, leaving the other two to fend for themselves."They'll be fine," he tried to reassure himself, "I need to focus...
The statue was almost within their grasp. One more successful defense and Krebbic will be able to crush an unfortunate scorpion with a good two-handed swing with the improvised weapon.

(Should the backline get hurt before or while Talix's approach towards the statue, he may be distracted and let his guard down.)

Krebbic saw Talix pointing and talking, and he stepped a little closer towards the statue. The croc was sure that Talix had something in mind that had to do with the thing. As he did, he concentrated on the stinger that was flying towards Krebbic, hoping that leaning slightly to the left would keep the projectie from hitting him.

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Mei stared at Quintin as he stepped behind her, exhausted. A smile broke her lips once again. "Full of surprises today, aren't we?" She joked, beginning to regain her breath. The fur on the back of her neck stood on end as she saw the freed scorpion lunge for Quintin.

No time to think! She dashed between Quintin and the scorpion, crossing her scythes over her head in a defensive block to catch the scorpion's tail while simultaneously sending three of her water orbs into the chinks of it's armor, coating the inner workings of the machine. One more into the joints of the tail to aid in her block. (Eight more remaining)

(if tail is caught) She struggled under the force of the tail, but managed to hold it mere inches from her head. She finally caught a moment to think, focused, and sucked the heat from the water rapidly into another orb frosting the scorpion and heating the other orb.

(If tail is not caught) The tail was beginning to break through! In an attempt to deflect the sting, she created a cocoon around herself using her remaining water orbs and used almost all of her remaining strength to freeze it solid. (The ice is far enough away from her body and fur so as to not hurt herself)

The statue was a mere five feet away, but Talix would not jump to any hasty decisions, he kept his shield up, praying the scorpions would not break his trusty shield nor his defensive stance.
"We are almost there Krebbic! You will be able to grab that statue and smash one good!""One," he thought to himself, "but several more to go afterwards."
He was hoping that statue will prove to be more useful, however that seems unlikely considering the amount of force that the enormous lizard is likely to swing with."No way getting around this, I will have to resort to my magic if I am to help take down the rest."
"Come on, you fiend," he taunted at the scorpions to ensure they stay focused on him, "just try and take me down!"
He readied himself for another onslaught of attacks.

(If he thinks he has enough time for a counterattack, he'll try and jab with his sword.
His main job is to protect Krebbic, but if this prolongs more than his liking, Talix will want to help with his offensive earth magic, which he hasn't had much practice with while in combat.)

Talix's blocking is stalwart. Not only is he able to keep moving but he blocks the larger scorpion's attacks against him. The smaller scorpion skitters to the left and jumps past Talix's defensive stance. Finally getting by the Knight, Talix has no chance to stop its assault on Krebbic. He's caught off-guard as the one large scorpion that had stayed out of combat struck quickly as he was distracted by the smaller scorpion breaking his guard.

It latched its pincers solidly onto his shield and used the bulk of its substantial weight to wrench the shield from his grasp. He's unable to counter with his sword due to how strong it is, he has to clutch at the shield with both hands. It is able to wrench his shield from him and as suddenly as it struck it takes a fast retreat back with its prize and strains for a moment. The shield buckles and is bent out of shape until it breaks! As soon as the shield is rendered useless the large scorpion skitters backwards until it is swallowed by the darkness.

(Despite having his shield disarmed, Talix can still make it to the statue on his "turn." Krebbic can make it to the statue as well though he will have to dislodge the small scorpion attacking him before he can make any action which Talix will direct him in.)

Krebbic leaned away from the small scorpion still attacking him. He even had to pick up his fight foot, but he was able to keep that stinger from stabbing him. His movements following Talix allowed him to keep the assailant from grabbing onto him or launching more attacks just yet. It trailed for just a moment before making another leap attack and landing on Krebbic's right side, immediately climbing up his back before using its pincers to gouge him. Krebbic thrashes his body wildly to get this other scorpion off of him but its legs pinch together for purchase. His thrashing does keep one pincer attack from hurting him but the other cuts deep making a gash toward his right side. Krebbic continues to thrash and though it is still not dislodged it also must clamp down and cannot climb up to make attacks to vital areas such as his neck or eyes.

As he fends one the other which had gotten past Talix now makes its own leaping attack. It jumps powerfully, flying by, and makes two keen pincer strikes at his left arm as it makes its pass. It hits him with both but only the first does damage by making a long gash down his left arm. The other just nicks him. Blood loss would be a concern very quickly, but at the moment he can sustain the damage. The small scorpion lands behind Krebbic and Talix both out of their reach before turning around to face their backs.

Mei finds herself at the mercy of a much heavier and powerful creature. But somehow, due to its haste to attack Quintin, its lunge was ungainly and threw it off balance. Mei herself did not have time to make a proper stance and found herself stumbling soon after blocking the heavy attack of the large scorpion's tail.

She was able to recover faster though as the scorpion recoils, stumbling about on its many legs and trying to re-center its weight. This gives her the opening she needs to focus on sucking heat from the water which had plastered the scorpion's joints. Though she succeeds there is an imbalance in the heat exchange this time. One of her orbs bursts into water vapor much too quickly and the water coating the scorpion forms only a light frost barely slowing the monster machine.

It responds as quickly as it can by throwing its right pincer at her in an attempt to gouge her left arm. As it does so it readies its tail to sting at her regardless of her response to its pincer attack.

Ahead of Mei, the one large scorpion still frozen by Koit breaks free! It moves toward Mei and Quintin as quickly as it can to strike at them, but due to all of the ice its joints must be forced with great effort for it to even move so it is still out of range to attack them.

Quintin keeps breathing with trouble and tries to stand. He blinks as he finds himself suddenly flat on his back gasping. Near him, Koit trembles causing a slight, harmonic cry. He scrabbles his hands to either side of him on the ground and tries to focus to bring the chaos of his spiritual energy back into control. The bond between he and Koit finally snaps back into balance returning his spirit's equilibrium. He coughs and sputters as he finds himself able to breathe normally once more and quickly tries to stand but is only able to pick up Koit and get up to one knee.

(Eliizer is at the point just past where he shot his blades at the two large scorpions following him and in the process of performing his maneuver which flips the scorpion he hit so he can make a lethal blow to its undercarriage. Him slaying it and squaring off against scorpion H can now be witnessed at the end of this round.)

During all of this, Antara and Rashid observe the battle and stay out of combat. The mage is preparing a powerful spell with which to strike at a foe in dire circumstances, but he holds back, impressed at the way the group is handling themselves in such a heated battle. Rashid cringes behind the column to the left of their entrance. He has his scimitar drawn but more for comfort than willingness to use it against these terrifying machines.

The two trudged ever closer towards the statue, fighting valiantly as they went. Close, so very close..."Yes, we are almost..."
...when, a scorpion disarmed Talix of his shield. Surprised, he quickly looked at his surroundings so not to get attacked by another enemy, as he watched in awe as the scorpion bent and destroyed his shield with ease.
"No..."
Talix cursed under his breath as it backed away into the darkness. He clutched his sword tighter in anger, however, there was no time to go after it, as the smaller mechanized arthropods were leaping onto Krebbic! The knight felt completely vulnerable without his shield, but he must prove that he can still protect even without one. He had to make a choice:
Their stingers are their most dangerous weapon; with his dominant hand, he could grab the scorpion underneath its belly to pry it off Krebbic, while clutching the tail with his right to prevent it from stinging.
Or, he could try and attempt a powerful two-handed cleave to cut off the stinger altogether.
The former would leave him open to attack from any other grounded scorpions, while the latter will require him to hit his target as the large reptile thrashes about, possibly causing him to miss entirely or even worse, strike his ally.
Both options seem impractical, but with his strong nature to assist others, he could not simply leave his ally overwhelmed......

He sheathed his sword and quickly dashed and grabbed the scorpion on Krebbic's left. They were already making attacks with their pincers, blood splashed onto the side of the knight's face.
"Hang on! I'm going to pry it off you," he reassured the lizard, "this might hurt, so brace yourself!"
With that, Talix tugged as hard as he could at the robotic insect.

(Talix's plan is to slam the scorpion to the ground, immediately redrawing his sword afterwards and wielding it in both hands. He will continue to fight defensively however, as he could just as easily be jumped by the other enemies.)

That scorpion was giving Krebbic quite a hard time as he thrashed about for the first few seconds, but he eventually calmed down, and knew that squirming wasn't going to be the way that Krebbic would be able to get the scorpion off him. So, Krebbic feels around the pincers and legs of the scorpion that is on him to try to smash it to the ground. The way that he does it is kind of like picking a lock, except the pick happens to be his hands.

If he isn't able to get that scorpion off of him, he'll just fall down, and use his massive weight to crush the scorpion on his back. As he does, he'll direct the pincers away from his scaly skin.

Last edited by feraldraco; 04-05-2016 at 05:23 PM.

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A loud clang from metal-on-metal rang Mei's ears as the scorpion's tail made impact with her block. She winced as sparks showered over her, but was able to stop the sting from reaching anywhere on her body, but the extreme jolt sent her stumbling backwards and broke her concentration on the heat transfer. One of her orbs exploded into droplets of boiling water, nearly missing her face. She cursed under her breath and caught her footing once more.

During all of this, she felt the spiritual turmoil of Quintin behind her. At least he is safe for the time being. She glimpsed the rest of her party facing their opponents. Talix's shield was gone and Krebbic was bleeding profusely from an open wound. I can heal that later should we make it through this... She thought to herself. Eliizer had finished off a scorpion.

Her eyes snapped back to her giant opponent as she sensed it readying an attack. I'm on the defensive. Not good! She inhaled deeply in anticipation as it readied its right pincer. Before it could launch its attack, she had levitated a watermelon-sized boulder and sent it careening at the scorpion's arm, trying to knock it off balance. The path should be right to strike it in the offensive arm; if not the arm, the side. At the same time, she utilized her swiftness and took a leap backwards, adding a safety to the pincer attack.

The tail came down mid-leap. She didn't see this coming. In a natural reflex, energy flowed into her arms and a small vortex of wind began swirling around the blades. A piercing howl echoed throughout the cavernous passage as she sent both scythes in an incredibly fast horizontal slash to knock the tail away and hopefully take off or damage the sting.